Combesgate view

Twenty minutes uphill from Woolacombe's bustling beach car parks and you'll reach one of North Devon's finest coastal vantage points. Combesgate view delivers exactly what it promises - a sweeping panorama across Woolacombe Bay that takes in the full three-mile sweep of golden sand below and Lundy Island floating on the horizon.

The walk up from town is a proper leg-burner, mind you. Worth every huffing step though, especially if you time it for late afternoon when the light turns everything golden. Families with small children might find the climb a bit much, but older kids who can manage the gradient will love spotting surfers from this height.

What makes this viewpoint special is how it frames the entire coastline - you get Baggy Point jutting out to the south and the rolling hills of Exmoor stretching inland. On clear days, the Welsh coast shimmers faintly across the Bristol Channel. Photography enthusiasts will have a field day here, particularly around sunset.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around Woolacombe Bay - there's Woolacombe Bay Holiday Park and Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park within easy reach - this makes for a lovely evening expedition. Pack a flask and some sandwiches because once you're up here, you won't want to rush back down.